Rehabilitation 101

The Pros and Cons of Rehab and Therapy

In the event of an unfortunate accident that led to physical injury and temporary disability, getting back to one’s normal motor capabilities is not something that happens automatically. In most cases, it is necessary to get support in gaining back the same motor skills and range of motion as before. Many patients also suffer from pain that hinders them from embarking on normal physical activities. At times, the muscles have atrophied because of a cast, and rebuilding these muscles is necessary in order to gain the same range of movement as before.

Patients normally have 2 different options for recovery – rehabilitation and therapy. The main difference between the two is where the recovery is taking place. When you talk about rehabilitation, it is mostly a more intensive and in-house treatment. On the other hand, physical therapy is an outpatient program where you will be living at home but attending sessions in a clinic or in other settings in order to regain your normal functioning. Because of these inherent differences, there are pros and cons to each option. Of course, this will highly depend on your situation, your injury, your needs, and your current state of health and mobility.

Most patients that decide to do in-house rehabilitation are those with extreme injuries. Because their mobility is very limited, they will not be able to move around without help at home and will need extensive work in order to get back to some kind of independence. Inpatient rehab is the perfect solution for them because of the round-the-clock care they can expect. This means they will always have someone assist them to get to the toilet, for example, even in the middle of the night. They will also have an easier time getting into exercises because there is no more travel time necessary. Beyond that, they may use additional amenities, like an indoor pool, to aid in their recovery.

On the other hand, inpatient rehab is a time-consuming program that may be too long for most people vs any intensive outpatient programs. You would also expect to pay more due to boarding and food that is included in your stay. Beyond that, it requires time away from family and work, which might make you lonely. Lastly, the rules of the rehab center will limit your freedom as opposed to staying at home.

Outpatient care is best for those with less serious injuries and can still fulfill normal functions. This means you would not require any physical help although you still need to recover from a minor injury. The biggest advantage of outpatient therapy is the chance to go home every day and even work.

While physical therapy allows you more control over your progress, you will only be able to work on your recovery during your appointments because you will not have easy access to these facilities. This is a huge disadvantage if you want to get back to your full function as soon as possible while going through any of your local Houston drug treatment centers.

These pros and cons, as well as your preferences and the recommendation of your medical team, will help you identify the ideal recovery program for you. Both are, however, very successful in leading others to recovery, so you can be assured that no one option is significantly better than the other.